Tour de France to Kick Off in Edinburgh for the First Time in 2027

Photo : AFP

The Tour de France, the world’s most famous cycling race, will begin in Edinburgh in 2027, marking the first time the race will start in Scotland. This will be the third time Britain has hosted the Grand Départ, following London in 2007 and Leeds in 2014.

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For the first time, the women's race will also be held in Britain in 2027. The Tour de France Femmes will run alongside the men's race, making it the first time both events will take place in the same country outside France.

The full details of the race routes will be shared in the autumn, but organisers have hinted at a stage along the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, which will add a challenging and exciting twist to the race. The first three stages will cover Scotland, England, and Wales, giving fans across Britain a chance to watch the race up close.

Christian Prudhomme, the Tour’s Director, shared why Edinburgh was picked:
“Why Edinburgh? Because it’s a magical city. In the Tour de France, the views from the helicopter cameras are very important. Edinburgh and Scotland will offer a beautiful backdrop for the race,” he said during a press event.

The Tour de France first came to Britain in 1974, when Plymouth hosted a stage. It returned 20 years later in Dover to celebrate the Channel Tunnel opening. In 2007, the race started in London, attracting huge crowds. In 2014, the Grand Départ began in Leeds, moving through Yorkshire. The roads were packed with thousands of people, creating an electric atmosphere.

Prudhomme recalled the 2014 race, describing the sea of fans along the route:
“It was a wall of people. It was huge,” he said.

However, the 2014 race also had a heartbreaking moment. British rider Mark Cavendish crashed in the opening stage, forcing him out of the race. Despite the setback, Cavendish, who holds the record for 35 Tour stage wins, says starting the Tour in Britain was unforgettable.

Speaking about the experience, Cavendish said:
“I did two British Grand Départs. The first one was my first-ever Tour and, for many years, it was the best start any rider could remember. It was four or five people deep all the way from London to Canterbury. Then we had the Yorkshire start in 2014, and that was something else.”

The 2027 Tour coming to Britain is the result of a joint effort by Tour organisers, British Cycling, UK Sport, and the governments of the UK, Scotland, and Wales.

Jon Dutton, head of British Cycling, said he hopes this event will inspire more people to take up cycling:
“Hosting both the men's and women's races together is a first, and we believe it can motivate more people to discover the fun and health benefits of cycling,” he said.

In 2023, Glasgow hosted the World Cycling Championships, which brought in around £205 million to the local economy.

The 2023 Tour de France started in Florence, Italy, and the 2026 race will begin in Barcelona, Spain. The decision to start the 2027 race in Edinburgh shows the growing love for cycling in Britain and the country’s ability to host big sports events.

The 2027 Tour de France promises to be a thrilling event, with the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, the rolling countryside of Scotland, and the rugged beauty of Wales and England creating a stunning setting for the famous cycling race.